The Widening Gyre — Robert B. Parker

The adoring wife of Senate candidate Meade Alexander had a smile as sweet as candy and dotted her i's with little hearts. A blond beauty, she was the perfect mate for an ambitious politician, but she had a little problem with sex and drugs--a problem someone had managed to put on videotape.

The big boys figured a little blackmail would put her husband out of the race, until Spenser hopped aboard Alexander's bandwagon. Now only his fists and his .38 stood between the mob's musclemen and the way to Washington. But getting back the tape of the lady's X-rated indiscretion was slated to make his ride on the campaign trail a nonstop express to trouble--trouble that was deep, wide, and deadly.